A CHEMICAL DICHOTOMY IN QUINOLIZIDINE ALKALOID ACCUMULATION WITHIN THE SECTION SPARTIOIDES OF THE GENUS GENISTA (FABACEAE, GENISTEAE)

A previous study had revealed unexpected differences in the alkaloid p rofiles within the Genista cinerea aggregate belonging to the section Spartioides. Extending these analyses the alkaloid patterns of 10 furt her species of the section Spartioides were investigated. At least 31 alkaloids were detected by GC and GC-MS. A chemical dichotomy was demo nstrated for the species of the section Spartioides: one group of spec ies contained the alpha-pyridone alkaloids cytisine, N-methylcytisine and anagyrine as major alkaloids, while the other group contained lupa nine, 13-hydroxylupanine and its esters as main compounds. The alkaloi dal data do not support the actual concept of the section Spartioides.